Word
dubious
Phoneticsdu·bi·ous, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdubiəs/
UK/djˈuːbɪəs/
Definitions
01suspicious or questionable
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. something that is probably not honest, true, or safe.
adj. arousing doubt or suspicion; of questionable value, quality, or legality.
“The company made some dubious claims about how much money you could earn.”
“The startup's valuation was based on dubious accounting practices that eventually drew the attention of federal regulators.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02feeling doubt
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. feeling unsure or not certain that something is a good idea.
adj. hesitating or wavering in opinion; inclined to doubt or feeling undecided.
“I was dubious about his plan to drive across the country in such an old car.”
“Local residents remain dubious about the proposed development, fearing it will destroy the quiet character of the neighbourhood.”
03of low quality
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. having a result or quality that is not very good or is disappointing.
adj. of uncertain outcome or questionable merit; often used in the phrase 'dubious honour' to describe something unwanted.
“The team had the dubious honour of losing every single game this season.”
“He holds the dubious distinction of being the only minister to be fired twice for the same administrative error.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Fronted by Rantzen, with an ever-changing swirl of co-presenters around her, That’s Life would take on everything from dubious advertising to the over-proliferation of crisp flavours .” “Donovan, Noel’s oldest, is given the dubious honour of the story of his night getting “absolutely spangled” and puking in a taxi being shared with millions.” “From a very young age, we are taught that nighttime is when dubious things transpire.” Etymology
Etymology tree Latin dubiusbor. English dubious From Latin dubius; like doubt, from Latin duo (cognate to English two), implying “two alternatives” (yes or no, true or false, etc.).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/dubious